Former South-East spokesman for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Denge Josef Onoh, has criticised the newly released 223-member All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 elections, warning that the composition could undermine President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

In a strongly worded memorandum addressed to Tinubu, Onoh alleged that major APC stakeholders and foundational loyalists from the South-East had been heavily marginalised in the new campaign structure.

He described the list as being influenced by “tribalism, personal interests, and extreme selfishness”, warning that the development could weaken the President’s support base ahead of the 2027 election.

Onoh contrasted the new council with the structure used during the 2023 presidential election, which he said was more inclusive and accommodated voluntary regional actors who risked their safety and resources to campaign for Tinubu in difficult political environments.

According to him, those responsible for compiling the 2026/2027 list had abandoned national cohesion in favour of personal ambition and nepotism.

He said the exclusion was particularly evident in the council’s operational, policy and management directorates, where, apart from statutory positions, there was inadequate representation of formidable South-East stakeholders.

Onoh argued that the situation could leave loyalists in the region without a sense of ownership of the re-election campaign.

The former campaign spokesman also raised concerns about the APC’s media and communications structure, saying the current team lacked the experience and political capacity required to confront the opposition in 2027.

“With the strict exception of only two persons who possess genuine fire and strategic depth, the current media team completely lacks the political tenacity and intellectual grit to face the opposition’s sophisticated PR machinery,” Onoh said.

He warned that excluding “battle-tested media generals” could expose the campaign to opposition attacks and propaganda.

According to him, the marginalisation of experienced party loyalists could also encourage some of them to deploy their political structures, resources and local influence in support of rival parties.

Onoh urged Tinubu to urgently intervene by reviewing the 223-member list and removing what he described as tribal and narrow interests introduced by “self-serving handlers”.

He also called for the reintegration of foundational South-East leaders and grassroots mobilisers into key operational and decision-making positions.

The former campaign spokesman further urged the President to overhaul the campaign’s media wing by bringing back vocal, resilient and politically experienced operators capable of shaping national discourse and countering opposition propaganda.

“Mr. President, do not let the short-sighted selfishness of a few handlers ruin the future of your administration. You cannot win a national re-election by shrinking your support base and telling an entire region they have no stake in your campaign,” Onoh concluded.